5 Hobbies To Please Cheapskates

The only thing worse than a noisy peloton of lycra-clad cyclists waking you up at 7am on a Saturday, is the jealous resentment that washes over you as you watch them through the blinds, whizzing by on their $3000 pushbikes, oat milk lattes in hand. 

“If I had an expensive pushbike I’d be out there with them,” you think. “I’ll never afford a cool hobby... or an oat milk latte!”

We get where you’re coming from, but you don’t need to spend money to have a good time. Whether you’re saving up for something big or you just want to try something new, here are 5 hobbies that are cheap as chips.

If the thought of doing “chores” as a hobby has you stumped, we should probably clarify that we’re not talking about the uninspired stir-fry you throw together on a Tuesday night. We’re talking about setting aside a few hours to experiment with new flavours, challenge yourself and cook with love (not suggesting your stir-fry is loveless).

You can find pretty much any recipe for free online and you don’t need to go all out on the wagyu and the truffle either. Some of the most incredible recipes come together with nothing but a few pantry staples. Hello, fresh focaccia with tomato and basil.

And the best part? You get to eat it! Talk about dinner and a show.

Yes. The oldest mode of transport: walking. The beauty of this one is you can do it anywhere. 

Getting yourself out into nature is one of the most rewarding things you can do. Especially in a country as beautiful as ours, with its lush national parks, world-renowned beaches and captivating bushland. Taking a long walk with a good mate – yes, Rex counts – will get your steps up and leave you feeling revitalised.

And if you can’t get out of town, why not take a look around a part of the city you haven’t seen before? You never know what you might be missing out on.

When was the last time you got up close and personal with a paintbrush and canvas? High school art class is our guess. 

You might need to lay out a few dollars at the start for supplies, but they’ll last you for months and the joy that letting your creativity loose on the canvas will bring you pays for itself.

But why limit yourself to painting? Photography, sculpture, textiles and poetry are all just as fun. Who knows? You might discover you’ve got a hidden talent.

Open enough cabinets at your parents’ house, and we bet most of you would find an old Scrabble or Monopoly board pretty quick. The point being: board games last forever!

You can practically get unlimited mileage out of a board game. And besides, what’s better than time shared with friends and family fighting over the last hotel on Bond Street, or quietly wondering if that’s truly how they think “truely” is spelled. It is fun – we swear!

Volunteering not only contributes to your community, but it can be a truly gratifying experience for yourself as well.

It’s no secret that doing good makes us feel good. Putting a few hours of time into a cause that’s important to you is a great way to make a difference and meet like-minded friends. Plus, you can put it on your resume if you really want to.